Make sure you’re sensible about what you download, and definitely don’t redistribute videos from YouTube without permission. However, there’s lots of content on YouTube that is permissible to download, such as public domain videos that aren't copyrighted, clips covered by a Creative Commons license (opens in new tab), and homemade videos that friends and family have shared with you (and have permitted you to download). At the very least, your YouTube account could be terminated if you repeatedly violate the site's terms of service, and you may even face legal action. Video downloaders aren’t illegal, but making copies of copyrighted content is. You can download videos through the YouTube app for Android and iOS by paying $11.99 per month for YouTube Premium (opens in new tab), but to prevent piracy and copyright infringement, this option isn’t offered on the YouTube website.

YouTube states in its Terms of Service (opens in new tab) that you’re not allowed to download any content, unless “specifically permitted by the Service,” or have prior written permission from YouTube or the respective rights holder. Is downloading YouTube videos legal? What you need to know But first, we'll look at the legal side of downloading to ensure you don't land yourself in trouble. After that, we'll explain how to properly use a website that offers similar features.

Here we’ll explain how to use Tampermonkey to download YouTube videos in Chrome. It also works in Edge and Firefox, if you install Tampermonkey in those browsers. One of these scripts, called Local YouTube Downloader, can (as its name suggests) download YouTube videos in Chrome, without redirecting you to another site.

Real downloader chrome